Dear Fathers and Mothers,

As many of you are aware, on 25th December, 2019, on the first anniversary of the repose of Fr. Seraphim Slade, while Matushka Helen was at her husband’s grave, their home tragically burnt down. Some of our faithful have already contributed to her support via a “gofundme” account set up in her name: https://www.gofundme.com/f/wnen7-supporting-matushka-helen-after-the-gunning-fire

Now I request that all of our parishes and monasteries make a special collection for her during this holy season, asking all of our faithful to help Matushka Helen in this very difficult time in her life.

Please send the collections to our diocesan office by 1st February 2020 and we will pass it on to her. I

greet you with the approaching feast of the Nativity of our Saviour!

​In Christ,

​Bishop George of Canberra Auxiliary Bishop of Australia and New Zealand Diocese Of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

On Sunday 20th October, His Grace Bishop George of Canberra celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Protection Cathedral in Melbourne during the week of the commemoration of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God.
 
Concelebrating with His Grace were Mitred Archpriest Nicholas Karipoff; Archpriests Nicholas Dalinkiewicz, Peter Sheko and Yaroslav Belikov; Priest Mark Woloszyn; Protodeacons Basil Kozulin and Alexander Abramoff; Deacons Emil Mishriky and Paul Baksheev. Guest clergy included Archpriest Fr. Boris Ignatievsky (Cabramatta), Fr. John Dimitrov and Fr. Paul Walliker ( Antiochian Orthodox Church).  As well as local parishioners there were guests from other parishes in Victoria.

In 1949, a meeting of migrants from post-war Germany was convened to establish the Parish of Our Lady’s Protection in Melbourne. Initially the parish rented church premises and in 1954 it purchased a former Anglican Church in Collingwood. For over 50 years regular services were held in Collingwood.

In 1989 a foundation laying ceremony was held for a new cathedral at a site in East Brunswick. With the generosity of parishioners who donated their time and money, a new Cathedral was constructed, and regular church services began at the new cathedral in 2006.  There is now a Church and community complex that all can be proud of.
After the Liturgy, Bishop George gave a sermon, calling the community to band together under Christ's banner and to find solace and comfort in God's love.
 
Awards were presented to Protodeacon Alexander Abramoff, Choirmasters Dimitri Souprounovich and Nicholas Cowall, Reader Gregory Metlenko and fundraising organiser Judy Oleinikov. 

After the service a festal banquet was held at L'Unica Receptions in West Brunswick.
 

September is a busy month in the liturgical calendar, with the liturgical new year marked on 1/14 September.

The first major feast to be celebrated in the liturgical new year is the Nativity of the Mother of God (21 September). The Holy Virgin Mary was born of her aged parents, Joachim and Anna. Her father was of the tribe of David and her mother of the tribe of Aaron, and so she was of royal blood from her father and priestly blood from her mother. By this, she foreshadowed Him who would be born of her as King and High Priest. ​

The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (11 September)  a Feast day established by the Church, is also a strict fast day because of the grief of Christians at the violent death of the saint. In some Orthodox cultures pious people will not eat food from a flat plate, use a knife, or eat food that is round in shape on this day.

Please see the timetable for more details.

Friday August 16, 7.30pm 
Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God, Russian Orthodox Church
1-7 Albion Street Brunswick East
 
One of only three choral works by Rachmaninov, the All-Night Vigil (or Vespers) stands at the pinnacle of the sacred music of the Russian Orthodox tradition. Rachmaninov’s transformation of traditional Orthodox chants through Romantic period harmony is unmatched in its beauty and technique.
MCC’s music director, Alan Cook, is a specialist in Russian repertoire and language and will direct this unique performance in Melbourne’s most beautiful Orthodox church, the very setting for which the work was composed.
 
Bookings:          https://www.trybooking.com/BAJKF
https://www.trybooking.com/463325
 
 
Ticket prices:
$35- full price ($40 at the door)
$25- concession ($30 at the door)
$15- children under 12 years/ students

The Pokrov Cathedral, Melbourne is proud to present MOSCOW NIGHTS starring Melbourne Cappella Chamber Choir conducted by Nicholas Cowall. The choir, with bass Alexander Pokryshevsky, will be singing Shostakovich's satirical cantata 'Anti-Formalist Rayok', as well as Russian opera choruses, folk songs and patriotic war songs.

Sunday 15 September at 2pm

Glen Eira Town Hall
Cnr Glen Eira  and Hawthorn Rd,
Caulfield VIC

Tickets: $28/$35
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/BDHJQ
Enquiries: 0411 090 550

Congratulations to our longtime parishioner and former deacon, Father Mark Woloszyn, on his ordination to the priesthood on Sunday 14th April, 2019.

Father Mark was ordained to the diaconate 29th March, 2015 after completing degrees in both theology and archaeology. 

Bishop George Schaefer attended Pokrov parish for the All-night vigil on Saturday 13th April and for the liturgy on Sunday 14th April (Saint Mary of Egypt Sunday).

Find out more about the special and solemn weeks leading up to Pascha, the latest Pokrov newsletter is available in English and Russian. 

There will be several opportunities to have kulichi and other Easter goods blessed.

On Great Saturday after liturgy, at approximately 12:30 pm

From 8pm on Saturday 27th April there will be four blessings until 11pm.

From 11 until 2.30 in the morning, during liturgy, there will be no blessings. 

After the liturgy at 2:30 on Sunday morning, there will be one more blessing.
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B субботу, 27 апреля есть несколько возможностей oсвятить куличи и другие пасхальные яства.

В Великую субботу после литургии, примерно в 12:30 дня. 


С 8 вечера в субботу 27 апреля будет четыре освящения, до 11 вечера.

С 11 до 2.30 утра во время литургии освящение куличей прерывается.
​
После литургии в 2:30 в воскресенье утром, последнее освящение.